Caring for the Poor: The Dignity of Work – The Law of God and Public Policy

Caring for the Poor: The Dignity of Work
The Law of God and Public Policy

Work is not a curse, but a calling.

“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and the sojourner: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 23:22

God created human beings to work (Gen 1:26-28; 2:15). Through their work men and women bring out the goodness and rich potential of God’s creation. We reflect the creative and fruitful character of God when we emulate His works in our own. Thus God is glorified by our work and we are enabled to meet our own needs and to share with our neighbors (cf. Eph. 4:28).

Work is inherent to being human and a source of dignity and fulfillment, inasmuch as it allows us to participate with God in His project of glorifying Himself and blessing humankind. All legitimate occupations and vocations share in this ability to glorify God and bless our fellow human beings. All work has the potential to further the Kingdom and economy of God, and thus no human being who is able should expect or be encouraged not to work. Instead, all must seek the work for which God has fitted them and take up that work for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).

Visit our website, www.ailbe.org, and sign up to receive our thrice-weekly devotional, Crosfigell, featuring writers from the period of the Celtic Revival and T. M.’s reflections on Scripture and the Celtic Christian tradition. Does the Law of God still apply today? Order a copy of T. M.’s book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, and study the question for yourself.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T. M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.